Edinburgh has drawn many people to it in search of a great weekend away. You are spoilt for choice when it comes to finding places to visit and enjoy – not least of which is Edinburgh Castle of course.
But beneath the Royal Mile there is a captivating place that will take you back through time. As anyone who has ever visited it will tell you, this location will make you look over your shoulder and wonder whom you are sharing the space with.
We’re talking about Mary King’s Close. There are actually four closes under the city of Edinburgh, which you can visit during a guided tour of the underground area. It is quite amazing to be standing in a 21st century street one moment, and then being taken underground and standing in a 17th century street the next!
The history of Mary King’s Close – so called after one of the residents who lived there – is fascinating in itself. This is because it is a classic tale of what times were like centuries ago when the plague was a big threat. Indeed many plague victims lived in these closes, and of course died there too.
This may not sound like an exciting place to visit during a weekend away in Edinburgh; but it is generally agreed that this is one of the best places to go, and anyone who has been will attest to it being unmissable.
You should be prepared for a ghostly event or two as well. Anything from ghostly figures to cold spots to strange noises and feelings can be experienced, so your ticket might just buy you more than you are expecting!
The most fascinating thing about the close is that it is perfectly preserved as it would have been all those years ago. Some of the areas are not safe to enter because they are now rather precarious, but you can go into some of the houses and rooms and see how people really lived back then. The tours are kept quite small as well, so you can see and experience everything that is laid out in front of you.
You’ll be pleased to know that modern living conditions in Edinburgh will still be there to greet you when you return back on the normal ground level. There are plenty of
hotels in Edinburgh you can stay in during your trip, and they will doubtless be more comfortable than the conditions in Mary King’s Close!
There is always something captivating about learning how other people used to live. But this particular experience tends to stay with people long after they have visited the close - so be prepared for it to have the same effect on you.
Isla Campbell writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.
